5 things you should know about WWE superstar Kane

It’s often said that WWE’s wacky and wonderful superstars are simply exaggerated extensions of a performer’s real-life personality. In the case of Kane, however, it’s safe to say that the man behind character couldn’t be any more different to his sports entertainment persona.

“The Big Red Machine”, real name Glenn Jacobs, is known as one of the smartest guys in WWE. He has been married for 22 years and is a father to two daughters, while he is currently running to be the mayor of Knox County, Tennessee.

In this article, we take a look at five things that you should know about the former WWE World Heavyweight champion.

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#5 He trained at Dean Malenko’s Wrestling Academy

Nowadays, Dean Malenko works backstage for WWE

Before he was known as Kane, Glenn Jacobs performed under various different guises as he tried to make a name for himself in the professional wrestling business.

He was known as Angus King in CSWA, the Christmas Creature in USWA, Unabomb and Doomsday in various promotions, and Fake Diesel and Isaac Yankem in WWE prior to his debut as Kane in October 1997.

But, way before the gimmicks and the bright lights, Jacobs’ pro wrestling days began by training at Dean Malenko’s Wrestling Academy.

Although many incorrectly state that Jacobs was trained by Malenko, it was actually the former WCW star’s father, Larry Simon, who he mostly worked with early on in his career.

#4 It was his idea to unmask

It’s always a bold move when a superstar drastically changes their appearance, and very few changes throughout the years have been quite as drastic as when Kane was forced to remove his mask in 2003.

After six years of wreaking havoc as one of WWE’s few masked performers, "The Big Red Machine" was defeated by Triple H on an episode of Raw in June 2003 and, as part of the stipulation, the character was made to reveal his face for the first time.

Speaking to The Two Man Power Trip podcast in 2015, Glenn Jacobs revealed that it was actually his idea for Kane to be unmasked.

While the decision was unpopular with many of WWE’s higher-ups at the time, Vince McMahon approved of the idea and he’s the one decision-maker who matters most.

#3 The Undertaker was his tag-team partner… and dominoes partner!

Pete Gas defeated Kane at dominoes... and he wasn't happy

A tag-team Triple Threat match between Pete Gas & The Godfather, Rikishi & Prince Albert and Kane & The Undertaker would have made for some interesting viewing on WWE television during the Attitude Era.

But would anybody have watched if the match took place at a dominoes table?!

Speaking on the Sam Roberts Wrestling Podcast in January 2018, former Mean Street Posse member Gas revealed how the three teams would often get together outside the ring – not for wrestling purposes, but to play dominoes.

On one occasion, Kane chased Gas all over an arena after losing a game against him and The Godfather. Gas said: “He wouldn’t stop! And he caught me! He pounded me. It was fun, though.”

#2 He was born in Spain

Introducing the champion, from Torrejón de Ardoz... Kane!

Most WWE fans will know that Roman Reigns is from Pensacola, Florida; John Cena is from West Newbury, Massachusetts; and Finn Balor is from Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland.

However, the hometown of Kane is never announced when “The Devil’s Favourite Demon” makes his way to the ring before he has a match.

While the birthplace of the Kane character remains unknown, it’s a little-known fact that Glenn Jacobs was born in Torrejón de Ardoz – a Spanish town 20 km east of the city of Madrid.

Jacobs was born to a United States Air Force family and they were stationed in Spain at the time of his birth. He would later grow up in America near St. Louis, Missouri.

#1 Realistically, 2018 will be his final full-time run in WWE

The Kane character isn't Glenn Jacobs' main priority right now!

At 50 years of age, one would have to assume that Kane is going to retire from in-ring competition soon, especially when you consider that he is currently running as a Republican for the Knox County mayoral seat.

The primary mayoral election takes place in May 2018 and the election itself takes place in August 2018, so Glenn Jacobs is going to be a very busy man outside of WWE throughout the first eight months of 2018.

Should he be elected, Jacobs will surely hang up the mask and boots while he serves as mayor, which means there is a very real possibility that we will witness his final full-time appearances as Kane over the next few months.